1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in getting
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in tricking
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in encountering
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed
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9
as in chasing
to move fast enough to get even with
despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catching
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2026
The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water.
—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Care Resource,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The only big fish in my area are pike, so the object of my research suddenly switched from catching lots of fish to catching big fish.
—
Jack G. Mell,
Outdoor Life,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Adjective
The Braves gained four years and millions of dollars by substituting Olson for Freeman at first base – even though one of those traded was slugging catching prospect Shea Langeliers.
—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2026
The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water.
—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Every March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of preventing and catching cancer early.
—
Care Resource,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The only big fish in my area are pike, so the object of my research suddenly switched from catching lots of fish to catching big fish.
—
Jack G. Mell,
Outdoor Life,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching
Adjective
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The atmosphere is infectious, attracting a discerning international crowd, yacht enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and travelers who are seeking a blend of luxury and authenticity.
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Vibrant animation, infectious energy, and a killer soundtrack make this a future cult favorite.
Verb
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Americans are grabbing their passports and fleeing the country in hopes of leaving the nation’s problems behind.
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Swanson argues those behind-the-scenes improvements have done more to modernize logistics than many of the industry’s headline-grabbing automation projects.
Verb
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Farmer, who had a right forearm strain, went 2-for-20 with a home run at Columbus while getting reps at catcher.
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Reaching such a stage would be the third World Cup final in succession for France, after getting their hands on the trophy in 2018 and losing to Argentina last time around.
Verb
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Technology led to the suspect's arrest Officers obtained doorbell camera footage, which showed a silver SUV stopping along a curb on Majors Choice Drive.
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Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.
Verb
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In today's competitive job market, being seen by decision-makers is paramount for securing roles and fostering career growth.
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There are Americans who rely on them, and the lowest disruption way forward is to create a pathway to staying here while securing our southern border.
Verb
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Marketing has always required senior-level judgment and knowing which levers to pull, why and when.
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This reportedly includes not giving guests many details about the wedding, with people invited instructed to arrive in New York, without knowing when and where the wedding will be.
Verb
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These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate stores or rank high in search results, tricking desperate consumers into buying non-existent AC units.
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The schemes involve a predator pretending to be a teenager online and tricking victims into sending illicit photos of themselves.
Verb
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Here, Amer plays a fictional version of himself, a Palestinian refugee who is trying to get legal status while encountering personal and professional roadblocks at every turn.
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Conditions can shift rapidly, even in summer, with climbers encountering ice, rockfall and limited visibility within hours.
Cite this Entry
“Catching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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